Eight of Kent’s top writers were at the launch of Broadstairs author Jane Wenham Jones’ fifth novel. The event, at a packed Broadstairs Pavilion, raised £644 for Breast Cancer Now and Pilgrims Hospices and also celebrated the first anniversary of Broadstairs Lit – the year round festival, set up in 2017.
Jane’s new book, Mum in the Middle (Harper Collins), is the story of Tess, a member of the stretched generation, coping with adult children returning to the nest as well as the demands of an elderly parent, and highlights the conflicts between locals and DFLs (Down from London) in areas where hi-speed rail brings in newcomers.
Jane said: “I was thrilled to see so many talented authors offer their support. A book launch is always a slightly nerve-wracking affair- in case nobody turns up! But we had a wonderful crowd.”
Waterstones Thanet ran a book stall and party-goers were offered raffle tickets to win an array of prizes, all donated by local businesses.
“It was lovely to able to donate the proceeds to these two worthwhile charities,” said Jane, who lost her schoolfriend Karen Smith to breast cancer in January this year. “Carol Todd, widow of local Chamber of Commerce character Harry Lagan, who also died from cancer four years ago, worked hard to put the raffle together and we are both so grateful to everyone for their generosity.”
Authors Anne Booth, Daisy Buchanan, Antonella Gambotto-Burke, Maggie Harris, Chetna Makan, Sonia Overall, Anna Richards, and Julie Wassmer went under the spotlight to give 90-second shout-outs for their latest books and were joined at the launch by the Mayor and Mayoress of Broadstairs.
Denise Martin-Harker, Director of BroadstairsLIt, announced the line up of guests for the 2019 programme, which will include Dermot O’ Leary, Helen Lederer and Terry Waite, as well as a supper club event with Chetna Makan, a one-woman show by Sunny Ormonde and an afternoon tea with Jonathan Aitken.
Denise said: “We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that has been shown for all the BroadstairsLit events since we started a year ago and we look forward to going from strength to strength. We are indebted to our sponsors and our terrific audiences.”
For more information on BroadstairsLit events and to buy tickets visit https://broadstairslit.co.uk/
